New emergency alert system pose POTENTIAL RISK - 3PM on Sunday 23rd April

The Government has created a new emergency alert system and it will be tested on mobile phones at 3PM on Sunday 23rd April

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This alert was created to warn people of nearby danger through notifications on their phones. This alert will play a sound even if the phone is on silent. You will be unable to use your phone until the notification is accepted.

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The fact that the phone will play an alert, even if on silent, is a potential risk to victims of domestic abuse who have second or secret phones that they use for their safety.

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Women's Aid  released instructions on how to opt out of these alerts:

For iPhone
To opt out, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘Severe alerts’ and ‘Emergency alerts.’ If this does not work, contact your device manufacturer.

For Android
To opt out, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘Severe alerts’ and ‘Emergency alerts’. On some devices, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘Extreme threats’, ‘Severe threats’ and ‘Show amber alerts’.

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For more information, go to gov.uk/alerts and on the Q&A document.